Bill Closing St. Anthony Lock Passes Senate, Goes to Obama

A bill waiting to be signed by President Barack Obama could close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock.

A provision in the final water infrastructure bill says closing the structure would help fight the spread of invasive carp in Minnesota waterways.

The lock is situated on the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis.

The provision, authored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Keith Ellison, has bipartisan support from Minnesota legislators. It has also been endorsed by Sen. Al Franken and Reps. Erik Paulsen, Tim Walz and Rick Nolan. The bill passed the Senate Thursday afternoon.

Several state agencies reportedly support the provision, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, National Wildlife Federation and the Mississippi River Fund.

At 49 feet, the dam is one of the highest on the Mississippi River, according to the National Parks Service. It was built in 1963.